Carrie Baker – The Growth Collective

It’s time to stop pouring from an empty cup, friend.

Let’s jump straight in with a question: On a scale of 1-10 (10 being really full), how full is your cup right now?

We have all heard the phrase “You can’t pour from an empty cup.” We know there is so much truth in it, but if we are being honest with ourselves, we still try to do it anyway. When we try to give out of a place that is depleted, consistently – we are at risk of getting worn out, or even burnt out.

As followers of Jesus, we know that we were created to dwell with our Creator God. It was His intention to be with us in the Garden of Eden, but we know what happened after that.

The thing is (and I know that you know this already), we are STILL meant to be walking closely in the Lord’s presence, even though it looks different now. Walking with God today isn’t about being in the garden – it’s about walking with the Holy Spirit. All we need for each day is in Him.

But even though we know this, we still find ourselves trying to do things in our own very limited strength and ability.

The Real Battle: Running on Empty

Another thing I know? There is a plan to stop God’s good plans and purposes for your life. It doesn’t take much for us to step out of that sustaining strength and power in the Holy Spirit, and before we know it – we are running on empty.

Does this sound familiar? Same. I’m over here with my hand in the air saying, ‘Me too!’

Let me remind us both of something really important: We are called by the God of All Things to live a pretty outrageous life—a life that goes completely against the grain of the world. (At least, we should be.) And because of this, there is also a plan to try and stop us from fulfilling it.

Do you feel that deep pull to step into those dreams that God has placed within you, but you feel opposition? Exactly.

If all that is needed to slow down God’s ‘called and chosen’ people is to empty us out – it’s an easy job!

But there is the great news! (All is not lost, I promise.)

The amazing thing is, if we can choose the way of life, we can break this scheme against us – and move powerfully into the amazing plans and purposes the Lord has for us.

It’s time to live from a place of fullness. We need to learn to keep that cup full so that we are living and giving out of the overflow.

In a world where busyness is a badge of honour and squeezes the life out of our lives, something kind of radical needs to happen. The way of life – the way Jesus lived, will enable us to walk daily in a place of fullness, empowering us to do what would be impossible without it.

Let’s talk through the HOW:

We’re going in with the hardest one first, lean in close and I’ll whisper it for you. Are you ready?

1. Rest.

There. I said it… Rest seems so counterintuitive in a busy world that makes us believe that we have to keep up with everything.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” – Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)

These verses are a promise that we will be given rest, for our body and our soul. Choosing rest is sometimes an exercise in trust. “Will everything be ok if I stop for a little while?” The answer is: Of course it will!

Rest is essential for living from a place of fullness. Without enough rest, we are either running on empty or scraping the sludgy dregs at the bottom. Even if we are half full, we aren’t giving out of the overflow—we are giving out of what we need for ourselves.

Let me say that again, because I’m not sure if you caught it…

Even if we are half full, we aren’t living out of the overflow. We are giving out of what we need for ourselves.

I’m trying to tread really gently here, BUT… are you resting enough?

• Are you waking up feeling like you slept enough?
• Are you taking time away from work and responsibilities so that you can do restful things that fill you up?
• Are you stepping away from the notifications on your phone for solid amounts of time in the week?
• Are you allowing time for silence and solitude in any measure? (Our soul needs this in the noisy, chaotic world we live in.)
• Are you allowing space to practice Sabbath?

I know there are some things here that you know could really help you be more rested. It’s a process, we will get you there… Shall we move on?

2. Connect to the Power Source of Life

“If the devil can’t make you sin, he will make you busy.” – Corrie ten Boom

If we are too busy to connect with the source of all life, we will be completely depleted of the power we were created to live within.

It is a radical thing to make the priority of our life to be in God’s presence, above being busy.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

– John 15:5 (NIV)

Did you catch the promise there? If we remain in Him and He in us (connected, grafted in, attached), we will bear much fruit, be productive, or reap an abundant harvest. If we are not connected to the Lord, we can’t do anything. That’s how important it is that we make it a priority!

Connecting into this power might look like:

• Take time to pray and listen
• Sit with the Lord in silence
• Get away alone to be in His presence
• Read, meditate on, and slowly digest the Scriptures
• Live daily life as an act of worship
• Gather with those who encourage, challenge, and sharpen us
• Make time for gratitude and praise
• Get outside and be surrounded by the natural world.
• Take opportunities to be creative

There are so many ways we can stay connected to the Lord and allow that filling up to overflowing to happen. Tell me, is there anything you would add to this list?

3. Create Margin in Your Life for Refilling

This will not happen if you aren’t intentional about it.

Trust me when I say this: At first, when you start creating these spaces, there will be resistance. Either from yourself or from outside sources. It will seem like there is a plan to ruin your plans to rest, or that quiet time you were going to have. KEEP GOING.

Where in the busyness of your life do you need to create space by intentionally scheduling time for this? Are there things taking up space in your life, that don’t give you life, the way being with the Lord will? There is always time for the things we make a priority.

“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.” – Psalm 23:1-3 (NIV)

Your Next Step:

Get out your calendar or diary, and plan times for rest and connection. Then see where in your weekly schedule you can remove unnecessary busyness and add space for refreshing. You are allowed to say no to the things that drain you, so that you can say yes to time to fill your soul.

“Go slow to go fast.” – Peter Senge

Being outside of the flow of the Holy Spirit while trying to live this life we are called to, makes it almost impossible. Taking time to live from a place of fullness is the only way we can flourish and do all that the Lord has planned for us.

Here is a thought to leave you with: What might you be capable of, if you were living life from a place of overflow?

To help you get started, let’s make this practical and make a plan to take action : What’s one thing you are choosing to do, today?

Send me a quick reply and let me know. Let’s do this together!

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See you soon friend!

Carrie x